Methods and systems for determining an internal property of a food product

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided to determine an internal property of a food product. The system includes one or more analyzing devices, a camera and a central unit in communication with the camera and analyzing device. The analyzing device is configured to analyze an interior region of the food product. The camera is configured to analyze an external property of the food product. The central unit is configured to determine the internal property of the food product based on feedback provided by the analyzing device and the camera.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for determininginternal properties of a food product, and more particularly, to moreaccurately determine such internal properties that are not readilydetectable by the naked eye.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over time, various methodologies have been developed to roughlydetermine internal properties of food products. For example, todetermine the ripeness of cantaloupes, individuals attempt to ensurethat they weigh more than their appearance and are of appropriate smell.Along these lines, to determine the ripeness of watermelons, individualsutilize a wide range of different methodologies, such as inspectingtheir size, hollowness, smell and appearance.

Moreover, the internal properties of some food products may not be ableto be readily determined. For instance, to determine the freshness offish, individuals look to the pleasantness of the smell, the moistnessof the gills and fins, the appearance of the eyes, etc. Along theselines, to determine the marbling of meat, individuals merely look at itsexternal appearance.

Accordingly, systems and methods are needed to allow individuals toaccurately and readily determine one or more internal properties of foodproducts. Moreover, systems and methods are needed to allow individualsto accurately and readily do so across a wide range of food products.The present invention provides such systems and methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a system for determining an internalproperty of a food product is provided, including one or more analyzingdevices, a camera and a central unit. The analyzing device is configuredto analyze an interior region of the food product. The camera isconfigured to analyze an exterior property of the food product. Thecentral unit is in communication with the camera and the device, and itis configured to determine the internal property of the food productbased on feedback of the analyzing device and the camera.

The analyzing device can comprise a probe having an elongated bar. Theelongated bar can have two electrodes. The central unit can beconfigured to apply a current to the first and the second electrode tomeasure the impedance between the electrodes. The analyzing device canalso comprise an ultrasound device capable of providing an image of theinterior portion of the food product.

The system can also comprise at least one of a scale, a server and adisplay, wherein each of these components can be in communication withthe central unit. The scale can be configured to determine a weight ofthe food product, and the central unit can be configured to determine anidentity of the food product based on the weight of the food product.Moreover, the server can be configured to store a plurality of internaland external properties of the food product, and the central unit can beconfigured to determine the internal property of the food product bycomparing the feedback of the analyzing device and the camera to theinternal and external properties of the food product stored in theserver. Furthermore, the display can be configured to presentinformation pertaining to the food product to the user.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for determining an internalproperty of a food product is provided, including one or more analyzingdevices comprising a probe having an elongated bar configured to beinserted into the food product, wherein the elongated bar comprises afirst and second electrode. The system also includes a scale configuredto measure a weight of the food product, a camera configured to analyzean external property of the food product and a central unit incommunication with each of these components. The central unit isconfigured to apply a current to the electrodes and measure an impedanceacross them. Moreover, the central unit is further configured todetermine the internal property of the food product based on theimpedance of the portion of the interior region of the food product, theweight of the food product and the external property of the foodproduct.

The system can also comprise a server and a display, wherein each ofthese components can be in communication with the central unit. Theserver can be configured to store a plurality of internal and externalproperties of the food product. The central unit can determine theinternal property of the food product by comparing the impedance of theportion of the interior region of the food product and the externalproperty of the food product to the plurality of internal and externalproperties of the food product stored in the server. The display can beconfigured to present information pertaining to the food product to theuser, wherein each of these components are in communication with thecentral unit.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for determining an internalproperty of a food product is provided. The method can include the stepsof capturing an image of the food product to analyze an externalproperty of the food product via a camera, analyzing an interior regionof the food product via one or more analyzing devices, and determiningan internal property of the food product based on feedback of theanalyzing device and the camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicateidentical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for determining an internalproperty of a food product in accordance with the principals of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate exemplary devices for analyzing an internal portionof a food product in accordance with the principals of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for determining an internalproperty of a food product in accordance with the principals of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system for determining an internalproperty of a food product at multiple local units in accordance withthe principals of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary controller device in accordance with theprincipals of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions ofthe present invention included herein illustrate and describe elementsthat are of particular relevance to the present invention. It is alsoimportant to note that any reference in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment” or “an alternative embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. As such, the recitation of “in one embodiment” and the likethroughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment.

The systems and methods disclosed herein are intended to determine oneor more internal and/or external properties of a food product. Theinternal properties of the food product can be based on detectedexternal properties of the food products. As such, the systems andmethods can be implemented in a retail setting, but are not limited touse in a retail setting. Alternatively, the systems and methodsdisclosed herein may be utilized for personal home use, or they may beutilized in the production or management of the food products by a foodsupplier or grocery retailer.

Food product as used herein refers to any substance that can be used asfood. For example, the food product can be meat, seafood, fish, fruit,vegetables or bread. More specifically, the food product can be a steak,salmon, strawberry, cantaloupe, watermelon, etc.

External property as used herein refers to any external characteristicrelated to the food product. For example, the external property can be acolor, a shape, a size and a texture of the food product.

Internal property as used herein refers to any internal characteristicrelated to the food product. For example, the internal property can beprotein content, fat content, seed content, water content, degree ofripeness, etc. More specifically, the internal property can be grams ofprotein, grams of fat, amount of seeds relative to the weight of foodproduct, percentage of water content, degree of ripeness compared toaverage food product, estimated shelf life, etc.

Along these lines, the internal and/or external properties of each foodproduct may not be identical, and they may be dependent on the identityof the food product. As such, each food product may have one or moreinternal and/or external properties unique to its identity. For example,a strawberry may have one or more internal and external propertiesunique to itself, and those properties maybe different than those ofpoultry. Along these lines, the internal and/or external properties ofeach food product may be based on whether the food is organic ornon-organic. For example, where the food product is organic, theinternal property can be the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, chemicalpreservatives and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the food product.

Retail setting as used herein refers to any online or brick-and-mortaroutlet selling one or more food products to the public including, butnot limited to, grocery stores, department stores, supermarkets,hypermarkets, warehouse stores, specialty stores, retail store, etc.

Referring now to the figures, various exemplary embodiments of systemsfor determining an internal property of a food product and methodsthereof will be described. Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 fordetermining an internal property of a food product can be provided. Thesystem can be for use by a manufacturer, seller, purchaser or the like.As shown, the system 100 can include one or more of a server 101, ananalyzing device 102, a central unit 103, a base unit 104, a scale 105,a camera 106, and a display 107. Each of these components will bediscussed at length below.

The Base Unit

As shown, the base unit 104 can comprise a display capable of providingone or more instructions for operation of the system to the user, aswill be described below. The base unit 104 can also comprise the scale105. Specifically, the base unit 104 can have a place for the scale 105to reside thereon. Concavely, although not illustrated, the scale 105can be integrated into the unit. Moreover, although not illustrated thebase unit 104 may be a standalone unit merely serving as a place for theuser to place the food product.

The Scale

The scale 105 is configured to determine a weight of the food product.The scale 105 can be in communication with the central unit 103 andconfigured to transmit the weight of the food product to the centralunit 103. As discussed above, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the scale105 can be a part of the base unit 104. Alternatively, the scale 105 canbe a standalone unit.

The Camera

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera 106 can be wirelessly connected tothe central unit 103. Alternatively, although not illustrated, thecamera 106 may have a wired connection to the base unit 104 and/oranalyzing device 102 comprising the central unit 103 to be in electricalcommunication therewith. Moreover, the camera 106 can be configured totake one or more pictures of an exterior region of the food product. Thecamera 106 may be configured to automatically take the picture of thefood product upon placement of the food product onto the base unit 104.Alternatively, the camera 106 can be configured to take the picture ofthe food product upon indication by the user. Along these lines, thecamera 106 may be configured to take the picture prior to the deviceanalyzing the interior region of the food product. Alternatively, thecamera 106 may be configured to take the picture after receivinginformation from analyzing the interior region of the device.

The Analyzing Device

The analyzing device 102 can be configured to analyze the interiorregion of the food product any number of ways. The analyzing device 102can also comprise a wire outwardly extending from an end of the handleopposite of the first end to the base unit 104. The wire can be for thedevice to electrically communicate with the base unit 104, or it can befor maintaining physical connection to the base unit 104. Alternatively,although not illustrated, the device can be in wireless communicationwith the base unit 104.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the analyzingdevice 102 (illustrated in FIG. 1) can be a probe 108. The probe 108 cancomprise a handle 109 for the user to grab, an elongated structure 110attached to and extending outwardly from a first end of the handle 109,and a sharp tip 111 attached to and outwardly extending an end of theelongated structure opposite from the handle 109. The elongatedstructure 110 can further comprise a sensor 134 configured to send asignal to the user to indicate that the user has inserted a sufficientportion of the elongated structure into the food product. Moreover, theelongated structure 110 can be of a size and strength to allow it to beeasily inserted into the food product without significant difficulty bythe user, and to not cause a hole in the food product noticeable by thenaked eye.

Furthermore, the elongated structure 110 of the probe 108 may compriseone or more electrodes 112 configured to determine an impedance of aninterior region of the food product. For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the probe 108 can comprise an elongated structure 110 having twoelectrodes 112 spaced from each other at an end of the probe 108 to beinserted into the food product. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3,the elongated structure 110 may have multiple pairs of electrodes 112utilized to measure an impedance between various interior regions of thefood product. In each of these embodiments, the central unit 103(illustrated in FIG. 1) can be configured to transmit an electricalsignal to the electrode(s) of each elongated structure, and to measurean impedance of an interior region between each pair of electrodes 112.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the analyzing device102 (illustrated in FIG. 1) can be an ultrasound device 113. Theultrasound device 113 can have a first end 114 and a second end 115. Thefirst end 114 can comprise a handle 190 for the user to grab. The secondend 115 can be configured to direct frequencies to the food product. Assuch, as illustrated, the second end 115 can be arc shaped.

Upon receipt of an electrical signal from the central device, theultrasound device 113 sends sound waves having low frequencies for apredetermined amount of time to the food product. Preferably, thefrequency is in the range of 100 kHz and 1 W/cm². The sounds echoes arerecorded by the central device and capable of being transformed to animage of the inside of the food product. As such, the ultrasound device113 is not intrusive and may be considered preferable to the probe 108(illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3).

In yet a further embodiment, the probe 108 and ultrasound device 113 canboth be used to determine the internal properties of the food product.They can be used in conjunction with each other to provide a moreaccurate representation of the internal properties of the food product.

The Display

Referring back to FIG. 1, as stated above, the display 107 can beconfigured to present one or more instructions to the user. For example,the display 107 provides to the user one or more of the followinginstructions—(i) placement of the food product on the base unit and/orscale, (ii) how to inject the probe into the food product, and (iii) howto utilize the ultrasound device to determine the internal property.

Along these lines, prior to analyzing the internal property of the foodproduct, the display 107 can be configured to present one or morequestions to assist in determining the internal property. For example,the display 107 can request that the user enter the type of food product(i.e., steak, fish, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.). Based on the foodtype, the display 107 can provide a list of one or more internalproperties that may be determined for the user to select.

Alternatively, the system may not require any information relating tothe food product that will be analyzed. The server 101 may automaticallydetermine the food type and related internal properties throughutilization of the analyzing device 102, and thereafter, present them tothe user via the display 107. For example, after injecting the probeinto a watermelon and/or swiping the ultrasound device across thewatermelon, the system may automatically determine the food product is awatermelon and internal properties relating thereto include seedcontent, percentage of water, percentage of meat, degree of ripeness,age, shelf life, etc. Subsequently, the display 107 can present theidentity of the food product and one or more of the internal propertiesto the user.

Moreover, the display 107 can also be configured to provide an image ofthe food product. The image can be two- or three-dimensional, and it canalso include an interior and/or exterior of the food product. Alongthese lines, the image can provide a virtual representation of theinternal properties of the food product. Moreover, the image can provideaugmented reality of the internal and exterior of the food product. Assuch, the display 107 can be configured to provide an image presentingthe composition, structure and physical state of the food product.

The Central Unit

The central unit 103 can be integrated into the base unit 104 or theanalyzing device 102. Alternatively, the central unit 103 can be astandalone unit. The central unit 103 can be configured to receiveinformation from one or more of the scale 105, the camera 106, and/orthe analyzing device 102. Upon receipt of the information, the centralunit 103 can be configured to send this information to the server 101for determination of the internal and/or external properties of the foodproduct. Thereafter, the central unit can be configured to receiveresults from the server 101. Alternatively, the central unit 103 can beconfigured to determine the internal and/or external properties of thefood product without sending the received information to the server 101.

The Server

The server 101 can be configured to store one or more internal andexternal properties relating to each of one or more food products. Theinternal and/or external properties of each food product may not beidentical, and they may be based on the identity of the food product bythe camera. As such, each food product may have one or more internal andexternal properties unique to its identity. For example, a strawberrymay have one or more internal and external properties unique to itself,and those properties maybe different than those of poultry. Along theselines, the internal and/or external properties of each food product maybe based on whether the food is organic or non-organic.

The server 101 can be solely in communication with the central unit 103which receives information from the various components of the system.Alternatively, the server 101 can be communication with one or more ofthe analyzing device 102, central unit 103, base unit 104, scale 105,camera 106 and display 107.

According to an embodiment, the server 101 can determine the identity ofthe food product based on information received by the camera 106. Forexample, the server 101 can be configured to determine an identity ofthe food product based on one or more external properties detected in animage taken by the camera 106. Along these lines, the scale 105 canassist the server 101 in determining the identity of the food product.For example, the server 101 can limit the number of possibilities basedon the weight of the food product and, thereafter, determine theidentity of the food product from the remaining possibilities.

Furthermore, the server 101 can determine one or more internalproperties of the food product based on the analyzing device 102. Forexample, where the analyzing device 102 comprises a probe having anelongated structure bearing two electrodes, the server 101 can determineone or more internal properties based on an impedance across an interiorregion of the food product between the electrodes. Alternatively, wherethe analyzing device 102 comprises an ultrasound device, the server 101can determine one or more internal properties based on an image of aninterior portion of the food product. Yet again, where the analyzingdevice 102 comprises a probe and an ultrasound device. In such anembodiment, the server 101 can determine one or more internal propertiesbased on the impedance across the electrodes and the image of theinterior portion of the food product.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary method for determining an internalproperty of a food product of determining an internal property of a foodproduct is presented that can be performed in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention. First, at block 117, a cameracaptures an image of a food product to analyze an external property ofthe food product. As described above, a scale may also determine aweight of the food product. Thereafter, at block 118, one or moreanalyzing devices analyze an interior region of the food product.Subsequently, at block 119, an internal property of the food product isdetermined based on feedback of the analyzing device and the camera.Lastly, at block 120, the internal property of the food product isdisplayed via a display. Each of these steps can be processed inaccordance with embodiments of the invention as described above.

Regression analysis may be used to determine the properties of the itemwhen it is purchased by a customer. These properties may be correlatedwith a number of the same items sold over time in order to identifythose properties of the item that are present when customers purchasethe item. For example, customers may often purchase a watermelon when inmakes a solid sound when “thumped” with a finger. The analysis tracksand records this type of data gathered as described above. Regressionanalysis performed using the various parameters and physical propertiesof the item for a number of customer transactions provides a modelexpression to predict the quality of food products and recommend theoptimal time of receipt and quality.

In an example, the regression analysis may have one or more of thefollowing inputs:

-   -   1) Duration, a particular food product (e.g., a fruit like water        melon or cantaloupe or apple etc.) have spent in the store from        the time of receipt.    -   2) Purchase time from the time of receipt    -   3) Overall color at the point of receipt    -   4) Overall frequency of response sound to ultra violet emission        (Mimicking the finger “thump” process many consumers do on        watermelon)    -   5) Overall Weight    -   6) Processing type (Natural vs manmade, e.g. in a case of        similar to bananas)    -   7) Optional Packaging, Route to store and placement in store        parameters        Additional properties of the item may also be included, or        substituted in place of the above.

Once identified, the qualities customers like to see in the item may beused to determine when items currently in the store may be sold. Theinventory system may predict the sales rate for the item, and determinewhen additional items should be ordered in order to maintain idealinventory levels. For example, a batch of items, watermelons, may bereceived at a store. A sample number of the items may be analyzed. Ifthe sample indicates that the watermelons are at or near the optimumselling point, the inventory system can automatically order newinventory. If the sample indicates that the items have yet to reach theselling point, the inventory system is freed up to process other tasks,improving speed and efficiency of the system. Items or a subset of theitems may be analyzed when received and at other points, for example,after being on a shelf for predetermined period of time. Inventory andorder decisions may be automated based on the regression analysis andmodel.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a diagram of an exemplary system 121 is shownthat may be utilized in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention as discussed above. System 121 can include a network122, server 123, software module 124, database 125 and one or more localsystems 126. The local system 126 can comprise one or more of a server,an analyzing device, a camera, a base unit, a scale, a central deviceand a display as described above. The local system 126 and the server123 can be coupled to a network 122 and configured to send and/orreceive data to the network 122. According to an embodiment, thecomponents of each of the local systems 126 can communicate with theserver 123 over the network 122 to determine the ripeness of a foodproduct.

Network 122 can provide network access, data transport and otherservices to the devices coupled to it in order to send/receive data fromany number of user devices, as explained above. In general, network 122can include and implement any commonly defined network architecturesincluding those defined by standard bodies, such as the Global Systemfor Mobile Communication (GSM) Association, the Internet EngineeringTask Force (IETF), and the Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX) forum.

Server 123 can also be any type of communication device coupled tonetwork 122, including but not limited to, a personal computer, a servercomputer, a series of server computers, a mini computer, and a mainframecomputer, or combinations thereof. Server 123 can be a web server (or aseries of servers) running a network operating system. Server 123 can beused for and/or provide cloud and/or network central.

Database 125 can be any type of database, including a database managedby a database management system (DBMS). A DBMS is typically implementedas an engine that controls organization, storage, management, andretrieval of data in a database. DBMSs frequently provide the ability toquery, backup and replicate, enforce rules, provide security, docomputation, perform change and access logging, and automateoptimization.

Software module 124 can be a module that is configured to send, process,and receive information at server 123. Software module 124 can provideanother mechanism for sending and receiving data at server 123 besideshandling requests through web server functionalities.

Although software module 124 can be described in relation to server 123,software module 124 can reside on any other device. Further, thefunctionality of software module 124 can be duplicated on, distributedacross, and/or performed by one or more other devices, either in wholeor in part.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of an exemplary centralunit 127 is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention as discussed above. The exemplary central unit 127includes a processor 129, a communication device 128 and a data storageor memory component 130. The processor 129 is in communication with boththe communication device 128 and the memory component 130. Thecommunication device 128 may be configured to communicate informationvia a communication channel, wired or wireless, to electronicallytransmit and receive digital data related to the functions discussedherein. The communication device 128 may also be used to communicate,for example, with one or more human readable display devices. The memorycomponent 130 may comprise any appropriate information memory component,including combinations of magnetic memory components (e.g., magnetictape, radio frequency tags, and hard disk drives), optical memorycomponents, computer readable media, and/or semiconductor memorydevices. The memory component 130 may store the program 131 forcontrolling the processor 129. The processor 129 performs instructionsof the program 131, and thereby operates in accordance with the presentinvention. The memory component 130 may also store and send all or someof the information sent to the processor 129 in one or more databases132 and 133.

Communication device 128 may include an input device including anymechanism or combination of mechanisms that permit an operator to inputinformation to communication device 128. Communication device 128 mayalso include an output device that can include any mechanism orcombination of mechanisms that outputs information to the operator.

While various exemplary embodiments have been described above, it shouldbe understood that they have been presented by way of example only, andnot limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosureshould not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferredembodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and can bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of theinvention can be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if notexplicitly stated above.

We claim:
 1. A system for determining internal properties of a foodproduct, the system comprising: one or more analyzing devices whichanalyze an interior region of said food product, the one or moreanalyzing devices comprising a probe; a camera which captures an imageof an external property of said food product; a display device; and acentral unit in communication with the camera and the analyzing device,wherein: the probe comprises a first and second electrode, and whereinthe central unit applies a current to the first and second electrode tomeasure an impedance across the first and second electrodes; the centralunit determines said internal properties of said food product based onthe impedance measured by said analyzing device and the image of saidcamera; the internal properties comprise: time of receipt of the foodproduct; purchase time from the time of receipt; overall color at apoint of receipt; overall frequency of response sound to ultra violetemission; overall weight; processing type; and parameters comprisingpackaging, route to store, and placement in store; the central unitperforms a regression analysis on the internal properties for a numberof customer transactions to determine a model expression related toquality of the food product; and the display device displays theinternal properties.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the analyzingdevice comprises a handle for a user to insert said probe into saidinterior region of said food product.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe analyzing device comprises an ultrasound device capable of providingan image of said interior region of said food product.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the display device is in communication with saidcentral unit and presents information relating to said food product to auser.
 5. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising: a server, incommunication with the central unit, which stores an internal andexternal property of each of a plurality of food products, wherein thecentral unit determines said internal property of said food product bycomparing said impedance measured by said analyzing device and saidimages of said camera to the internal and external properties of saidfood product stored in said server.
 6. The system of claim 5,additionally comprising: a scale in communication with the central unit,the scale determining a weight of said food product, wherein the centralunit determines an identity of said food product based on the weight ofsaid food product and the image received from the camera.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein said scale is part of said central unit, and whereinsaid analyzing device is electronically connected to said central unit.8. The system of claim 7, wherein said analyzing device is electricallyconnected to said central unit via a wire.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the food product is a fruit, vegetable, meat or seafood.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the internal property of the food productcomprises one or more of protein content, fat content, seed content,water content and degree of ripeness.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinthe external property of said food product comprises one or more of acolor, a shape, a size and a texture.
 12. A system for determininginternal properties of a food product, the system comprising: one ormore analyzing devices comprising a probe configured to be inserted intothe food product, wherein the probe comprises a first and secondelectrode; a scale which measures a weight of said food product; acamera which captures an image of an external property of said foodproduct; a display; and a central unit in communication with theanalyzing device, the scale and the camera, wherein: the central unitapplies a current to the first and second electrode; the central unitmeasures an impedance across the first and second electrode while thecurrent is applied, the central unit determines said internal propertiesof said food product based on said impedance and said image, saidinternal properties comprising: a time of receipt of the food product; apurchase time from the time of receipt; an overall color of the foodproduct at the time of receipt; an overall frequency of response soundto ultra violet emission; an overall weight; a processing type; andstore parameters comprising packaging, a route to a store, andplacement; the central unit performing a regression analysis on theinternal properties for a number of customer transactions to determine amodel expression related to quality of the food product; and displayingthe internal properties of the food product via the display.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the display is in communication with saidcentral unit, and displays information relating to said food product.14. The system of claim 12, additionally comprising: a server incommunication with the central unit and storing a plurality of internaland external properties of each of a plurality of food products, whereinthe central unit determines said internal properties of said foodproduct by comparing said impedance and said external property of saidfood product to the plurality of internal and external properties ofsaid food product stored in said server.
 15. The system of claim 12,wherein the analyzing device additionally comprises an ultrasound devicecapable of providing an image of an interior region of said foodproduct.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the food product is one ofa fruit, vegetable, meat or seafood product.
 17. The system of claim 12,wherein the internal property of the food product comprises one or moreof protein content, fat content, seed content, water content and degreeof ripeness.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the external propertyof said food product comprises one or more of a color, a shape, a sizeand a texture.
 19. A method comprising the steps of: capturing an imageof a food product to analyze an external property of said food productvia a camera; analyzing an interior region of said food product via oneor more analyzing devices; determining properties of said food productbased on feedback of said analyzing device and said camera, theproperties including: time of receipt of the food product; purchase timefrom the time of receipt; overall color at a point of receipt; overallfrequency of response sound to ultra violet emission; overall weight;processing type; and optional packaging, route to store and placement instore parameters; performing a regression analysis on the properties fora number of customer transactions to determine a model expressionrelated to quality of the food product; and displaying said propertiesof said food product via a display.